top 5 ways to create an outdoor respite

hi-5

Our top 5 picks … for everything design-related & more!

august 2020

We are in the dog days of summer, during a pandemic … a perfect time to extend your living space outside. Plus, the end of the season sales are in full swing, giving you the opportunity to get some great deals on outdoor furniture, accessories, and plants.

patio furniture upgrade

photo credit: room and board

Selectively socializing outside has been our only source of interaction with friends & extended family for months. Bring the inside out with some great new patio furniture, to create an outdoor living space for entertaining.

Patio furniture is available in a wide variety of styles & types, allowing you to create a unique outdoor setting to reflect your personal tastes.

plantings

photo credit: bob vila

Plantings can increase your home's curb appeal, but they can also create privacy, habitat for pollinators, and an outdoor oasis.

Visit your local greenhouse.  Many are offering end-of-season discounts on plants and it's an opportunity to support a local business.  They can tell you all the details about what to plant, where, and why.

s’mores time!

photo credit: overstock

Keep the outdoor fun going after dark, by adding a backyard fire pit.  This is another great way to extend your outdoor entertaining space, whether you are roasting marshmallows or toasting drinks.

There are extensive fire pit options available including kits to build your own, diy, or ready-to-go options.

game time!

photo credit: etsy.com (store: Maydby)

Want hours of fun for your whole family ... invest in some yard games.  Large-scale options of classic indoor games are now available for outdoor fun including Jenga and Dominos.  Or add more traditional outdoor options like cornhole, ladder ball, or croquet.

For even more fun ... add an obstacle course, maybe even an American Ninja Warrior course!

let there be light

photo credit: design within reach

Give your outdoor spaces some extra sparkle and ambiance with outdoor lighting.  Adding string lights over a deck, patio, or porch adds excitement and beauty to entertaining spaces.

Looking for something more subtle, but just as impactful?  Consider adding specialty outdoor lighting such as: solar glowing orbs, stones, and pavers integrated into the landscape.